Bob and Babs Strickland, who created the Walnut Creek Preserve in 2003, have now built a Nature Center there in memory of their daughter.
The Stricklands bought their Polk County farm 17 years ago and built their house two years later, calling it Serenity Farm.

Everything changed when an adjacent parcel of 2,000 acres owned by International Paper was put on the market. The Stricklands said they felt driven by the desire to protect that land from development.
The Preserve, including
According to John Vining, Polk County Cooperative Extension Agent, the Preserves characteristics make it a prime example of a piedmont ecosystem. Elevations vary from 880 to 1,200 feet, offering varied environments. There are 40 miles of existing trails on the property, 25 streams and over two miles of Walnut Creek stream bed.
Residents describe walks and horseback riding in the Preserve as an almost magical experience, with box lunches at the waterfall and seemingly endless trails and ever-changing views.
With the backing of Babs brother, the Stricklands bet everything they had, took advantage of the financial benefits of conservation easements, and set up a small number of residential lots in order to accomplish the purchase from International Paper.
Babs Strickland said she has come to believe they were destined to make this happen.
“So many things could have gone wrong, and so many people were involved in making it happen,” said Babs.
The inspiration to honor their daughter, Anne Elizabeth Suratt, with an education center came in 2005.
The center will contribute “to making a difference in the ways that she would have if she were living and is a fitting tribute to her,” Babs Strickland said.
Anne was entering her senior year at the University of Illinois, was active in the campus Space Society and was involved in teaching young students about space and the ability to learn about the earth from space. About to enter a special program at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, her goal was to be an astronaut. She was working on her instrument rating as a private pilot when her single engine plane crashed on takeoff.
Turning this tragedy into a positive force has been what the Nature Center is all about.
Construction of the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center is complete. An Open House for the public is being planned for this spring.
Work is still underway to gather learning materials, to install audio/visual and computer resources, to set up learning trails in the immediate vicinity of the center and to communicate with institutions which might use the facility.
The building, with glass walls to show off the surroundings, has been designed to accommodate research and presentations to groups. It even includes an apartment to accommodate visiting graduate students, researchers and naturalists who will be doing more lengthy work. Equipment such as projection equipment, a dissecting microscope and computers will be available.
To facilitate programs for people with all capabilities, gentle trails near the Nature Center will give an abbreviated look at the Preserves ecosystems.
Research has already begun. Dr. Gillian Newberry, recently retired Professor of Biology at the University of South Carolina Upstate, has been instrumental in setting up the archival aspects of the center. She has spent the last several years inventorying plants in the preserve and setting up the sample library. So far he has cataloged more than 500 species of plants, of which half have been mounted for reference.
Pam Torlina of the Pacolet Area Conservancy has begun a bird population survey.
The center has collection cabinets specially designed for insect, plant, fungus and lichen, amphibian and geological specimens. The Center welcomes personal collections from people who want to ensure that their collection will be safeguarded in the future.
Vining said he is working to communicate with area universities who may have an interest in research and educational programs using the Preserve and Nature Center.
“This is precisely the type of project that we started encouraging several years ago,” said Kipp McIntyre, Polk County Director of Economic Development. “It uses our natural resources to enhance Polk County and bring others to our community, but does not deplete those resources.”
The preservation and enhancement of the natural environment has been the Stricklands objective from the beginning.
By already having placed 1,400 acres in a permanent conservation easement with the Pacolet Area Conservancy, the Stricklands have ensured the future of this portion of the Walnut Creek valley. An additional grant of at least 100 acres is planned.
The remaining acreage on the perimeter is divided into 25 equestrian farm lots, which intrude on the environment in the least possible way. The pastures on each lot take advantage of land already clear-cut by International Paper and all trails and roadways are permeable.
The Preserve is a managed forest which means that over time the trees will be thinned and replanted to ensure the health of the forest. There is currently a mix of hardwood and evergreen forest and grass and wetlands.
The Stricklands focus is also on the preservation of waterways and the sections that are primarily hardwood forest. Bob reports that some species that frequent the grassy lowland areas are beginning to return to the area, such as quail and grouse.
The Stricklands have now taken the next step of providing for a center around which educational activities could occur. Its dedication to their daughter is in keeping with her goals and love of the area.
Residents of the community, Missy Merritt and Kathy Willauer, are planning to be active volunteers at the Center. Others in the community will be welcomed, especially those who can lead programs for young people.
The Stricklands welcome inquiries to use the Nature Center for group presentations or field trips, to attend programming that will be offered or to volunteer. Contact them at rideandhike@walnutcreekpreserve.com. Planning is under way for an Open House for the public at the Nature Center in the spring.Serenity Farm. Serenity Farm, totals 2,100 acres located in the very northern most part of Polk County on the Rutherford County border.